40 Years of Innovation in Plastics Recycling

When Erema celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, it marked not just a milestone for the company, but for the plastics recycling industry as a whole. According to CEO Manfred Hackl, the evolution over the past four decades has been profound: “What we can do today would have been unimaginable 40, 20, or even 5 years ago.”

The technological progress has been rapid and relentless, with Erema consistently positioning itself as a key driver of innovation. And the story doesn’t stop there—Hackl confirmed that the group is set to unveil new solutions at K 2025, all aimed at boosting recyclate quality even further. Plastics Recycling

From Pipe Dream to Product Shelf: Tangible Progress in Plastics

Looking back, Hackl identifies the 2016 K fair as a pivotal moment: it was the first time the circular economy took center stage. Since then, previously inconceivable applications have become reality:

• rHDPE packaging suitable for food contact
• Post-consumer recycled content in household and personal care bottles
• Supermarket film containing recycled material

“The fact that these products are now commercially viable is proof of how fast innovation is accelerating,” said Hackl. However, he stresses that future progress hinges on systems thinking: combining the right washing methods, extrusion technologies, and filtration systems to consistently produce high-quality, odor-neutral regranulate.

Erema’s group of companies is uniquely positioned to deliver on that complete value chain, but Hackl emphasizes, “The circular economy will only thrive if the entire plastics ecosystem collaborates and evolves together.”  Plastics Recycling

Economic Pressure Is Holding Back Investment

Despite technological optimism, Hackl is candid about the current headwinds. “The economic environment has not developed satisfactorily,” he says, citing geopolitical instability as a major factor dampening customer investment.

Still, he remains hopeful that the upcoming K 2025 trade fair can help jumpstart momentum. He also draws attention to encouraging policy trends: the EU’s Green Deal and Clean Industrial Deal both place the circular economy front and center. And perhaps more importantly, consumer and brand expectations are evolving too. “People want plastics to stay in the loop,” he notes. “That’s a powerful shift.”

Strategic Alliance: Erema and Lindner Launch Blueone Solutions

In a major strategic move, Erema and Lindner have gone beyond collaboration—they’ve formed a joint venture. Named Blueone Solutions, the new company is co-owned by both firms (50/50) and aims to build a truly digitalized and industrialized process for turning waste into finished recycled pellets.

“It’s not just a partnership—it’s an integrated group approach,” Hackl emphasizes. The goal is to address recyclate quality from end to end. Visitors to K 2025 can expect live demonstrations showing this holistic process in action, from waste input to high-performance output. Plastics Recycling

Recyclate Needs Price Stability—Not Punitive Taxes

Hackl’s core message is clear: price volatility is the Achilles’ heel of recycling economics. When the price of virgin material drops—as it has recently—recyclate becomes uncompetitive.

This unpredictability makes long-term investments in recycling infrastructure extremely difficult. “How can a business plan a plant with a depreciation horizon of 5–10 years if input costs fluctuate monthly?” he asks.

Instead of punitive measures like a plastics tax, Hackl advocates for a CO₂ bonus system. By recognizing that recycled pellets generate 25–30% less CO₂ (depending on the application), governments could introduce incentives that stabilize the market and reward sustainability. Plastics Recycling

Europe Must Lead the Way

Hackl believes the European Union has both the responsibility and the influence to drive global change. “The EU should take a pioneering role,” he urges. In his view, if Brussels initiates a smart incentive structure for recycled content, other nations are likely to follow.

He points to countries like India, China, and the United States, which have already begun aligning their circular economy policies with European standards. “They recognize that circularity is not just environmentally critical—it’s economically rational too.”

What to Expect from Erema at K 2025

Erema’s presence at K 2025 will be both comprehensive and bold. The company will not only showcase cutting-edge technologies indoors but will also host a live recycling demo with Lindner in the outdoor area.

Under the banner of “Edvanced Recycling – Erema Prime Solutions for Advanced Recycling”, the campaign underscores the firm’s commitment to practical expertise, long-term partnerships, and cutting-edge engineering. The spelling “Edvanced” is no accident—it’s a signal that modern recycling is intrinsically linked to Erema’s name and legacy.  Plastics Recycling

From food-grade regranulate systems to high-throughput industrial solutions, Erema will present a broad portfolio for nearly every plastics recycling application. The focus is on scalability, precision, and digital integration—elements that Hackl sees as critical to achieving recyclate quality that truly competes with virgin plastics.

Final Thoughts: The Industry Can’t Afford Inaction

Hackl’s position is unequivocal: “If we want the circular economy to work, price stability and systems integration are essential.” From establishing fiscal frameworks that reward recyclate use to fostering deep industry cooperation, the roadmap is clear—but the time to act is now.

“We have the technology, the knowledge, and the motivation,” Hackl concludes. “What we need is a level playing field that makes sustainable choices economically viable.”

More…

A Bold Leap Toward Smarter, Cleaner Cargo Handling

Kalmar, a global leader in material handling equipment, has officially launched its next-generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology for its entire portfolio of electric counterbalanced equipment.

This upgrade represents a significant milestone in Kalmar’s mission to deliver smarter, cleaner, and more efficient logistics solutions. Plastics Recycling

The Gen 2 battery technology is now available globally for machines meeting European standards, with U.S. and Chinese versions slated for release in 2026.

What’s New in Kalmar’s Gen 2 Li-ion Battery?

This second-generation battery system marks a dramatic improvement in three key areas: energy capacity, thermal performance, and lifespan. It powers electric reachstackers, empty container handlers, and forklifts—making it a future-ready solution for ports, terminals, and logistics hubs worldwide.

• Greater Energy Throughput: Operates longer on a single charge with less degradation over time.
• Improved Thermal Stability: Functions reliably even in extreme heat, ensuring safety and uptime.
• Longer Lifecycle: Reduced frequency of replacements means lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Plastics Recycling

Real-World Power: Up to 10 Hours of Heavy-Duty Operation

Kalmar’s new batteries are engineered for real-world performance. In intensive environments, such as container terminals or distribution hubs, the upgraded electric reachstackers can operate for up to 10 continuous hours without needing a recharge.

This represents a significant improvement from the first-generation batteries and gives operators the flexibility to manage longer shifts, reduce charging downtime, and boost overall equipment utilization.

Designed to Handle the Heat

Thermal resilience has been a key area of focus in the new battery development. With climate conditions growing more extreme globally, especially in tropical and desert regions, equipment needs to withstand high ambient temperatures without sacrificing safety or performance. Plastics Recycling

The Gen 2 batteries feature upgraded cooling and thermal regulation systems that prevent overheating and ensure consistent operation across various climate zones.

The Chemistry Behind the Upgrade

Kalmar’s engineers have redesigned the internal cell chemistry of the battery packs, enabling a higher density of usable energy per cycle. This new formulation not only boosts endurance but also slows down the degradation process, extending the usable lifespan of the batteries by thousands of cycles.

With more predictable energy output, operators gain peace of mind when scheduling operations, while also saving on long-term replacement and maintenance costs.

Leadership Insights

“Our second-generation battery is a major step forward in helping our customers transition to fully electric fleets without compromising performance,” said Peter Berndtson, Vice President of Kalmar’s Counter Balanced Product Line. Plastics Recycling

 

“The enhanced safety, longer lifespan and improved operating times provide our customers with a high level of predictability and peace of mind when it comes to managing their operations.”

Berndtson emphasized that this leap forward in technology aligns perfectly with Kalmar’s long-term electrification and sustainability roadmap.

Compatible Equipment & Use Cases

The new battery system is compatible with Kalmar’s entire lineup of electric counterbalanced machines. Whether it’s stacking containers, unloading freight, or transporting goods across terminals, these machines now come equipped with a powertrain that can handle high-load applications with minimal downtime.

Key use case improvements include:

• Electric Reachstackers: Extended shifts and faster cycle times
• Empty Container Handlers: Increased reliability in round-the-clock port operations
• Electric Forklifts: Smoother performance in both indoor and outdoor logistics environments Plastics Recycling

Global Availability and Rollout

The new Gen 2 Li-ion battery technology is available now for machines built to European specifications. Kalmar has also confirmed that versions tailored for U.S. and Chinese safety and regulatory standards will enter the market in 2026.

This phased rollout ensures that global customers can start benefiting from the new technology immediately, while also accommodating localized operational requirements and certifications.

Kalmar’s Sustainability Strategy

Kalmar’s innovation roadmap has always emphasized sustainability. From electrifying its equipment lineup to reducing lifecycle emissions, the company is working toward a greener industrial future.  Plastics Recycling

By equipping its machines with cleaner, longer-lasting battery systems, Kalmar helps its customers hit their own decarbonization goals while improving operational efficiency. The Gen 2 batteries are designed not only for performance, but also with recyclability and circular use in mind.

What This Means for the Industry

The global push toward zero-emission equipment is accelerating—and Kalmar’s Gen 2 battery launch is proof that innovation in heavy-duty material handling is keeping pace.

With this breakthrough, Kalmar reinforces its position as a key enabler in the transition to all-electric cargo handling ecosystems. Customers can expect:

• ✔️ Fewer battery changes
• ✔️ Lower maintenance costs
• ✔️ Safer operation in hot climates
• ✔️ Improved uptime across shifts
• ✔️ Future-proofed sustainability compliance Plastics Recycling

Final Thoughts

The second generation of Kalmar’s Li-ion battery is more than just a power upgrade—it’s a strategic move toward zero-emission logistics, cost-effective operations, and environmental stewardship. For logistics managers, port operators, and fleet owners, it offers the rare combination of performance, safety, and long-term value.

As battery technology becomes central to material handling, innovations like Kalmar’s Gen 2 solution are setting a new standard for the industry—one where performance meets sustainability.